Little Kids and Naughty Words

I do not personally approve of teaching or allowing children to curse intentionally (as in when they know they are saying bad words). When I see little kids in movies or on TV cursing for shock value, I find it tacky and not funny.

However. My kid apparently has a knack for picking up foul language wherever he finds it. He curses like a sailor sometimes without ever knowing it. He doesn't know that the f-bomb is a bad word, but he knows it, and uses it pretty innocently.

He got tired of playing with his Lincoln logs the other day, said "oh f*ck it," and picked up another project.

He wasn't trying to be outré or naughty--he just said what was on his mind. This happens semi-quasi-frequently...out of the blue he nonchalantly peppers his speech with four-letter words.

Do I point out that these words are not acceptable? I feel an obligation to keep him from teaching these words to his little friends (they are around 3), but I worry that drawing attention to the words will make them attractive to him. He has a baby sister to compete with for attention, after all. Plus, I am immature when these words slip out and I can't help but laugh, though I try to cover it when I can.

Advice, thoughts, opinions?

I do not personally approve of teaching or allowing children to curse intentionally (as in when they know they are saying bad words). When I see little kids in movies or on TV cursing for shock value, I find it tacky and not funny.

However. My kid apparently has a knack for picking up foul language wherever he finds it. He curses like a sailor sometimes without ever knowing it. He doesn't know that the f-bomb is a bad word, but he knows it, and uses it pretty innocently.

He got tired of playing with his Lincoln logs the other day, said "oh f*ck it," and picked up another project.

He wasn't trying to be outré or naughty--he just said what was on his mind. This happens semi-quasi-frequently...out of the blue he nonchalantly peppers his speech with four-letter words.

Do I point out that these words are not acceptable? I feel an obligation to keep him from teaching these words to his little friends (they are around 3), but I worry that drawing attention to the words will make them attractive to him. He has a baby sister to compete with for attention, after all. Plus, I am immature when these words slip out and I can't help but laugh, though I try to cover it when I can.

What kind of question is this? Obviously you tell him those words are bad. Do you not correct him when he acts up at play time or do you just stay hush hush because drawing attention to him making a mess or something will encourage him to do it more? This is the most screwed up logic I've ever heard. Lol

What kind of question is this? Obviously you tell him those words are bad. Do you not correct him when he acts up at play time or do you just stay hush hush because drawing attention to him making a mess or something will encourage him to do it more? This is the most screwed up logic I've ever heard. Lol

My older cousin taught her kids that curse words are not allowed outside the home but when they are home they can curse. She doesn't allow name calling or using them in disrespectful ways but they are free to use which ever words they choose at home. She doesn't call them "bad words" either.

Her kids are 5, 8 and 11.

My older cousin taught her kids that curse words are not allowed outside the home but when they are home they can curse. She doesn't allow name calling or using them in disrespectful ways but they are free to use which ever words they choose at home. She doesn't call them "bad words" either.

I understand where Bob is coming from with ignoring it for now. Drawing attention to something that is done in an innocent manner could be more detrimental in this situation. I also understand that Bob will have to assess it at some point. To Bob, I don't have a toddler yet, so I have no wisdom, but don't feel bad for the situation. Good luck to you.

I understand where Bob is coming from with ignoring it for now. Drawing attention to something that is done in an innocent manner could be more detrimental in this situation. I also understand that Bob will have to assess it at some point. To Bob, I don't have a toddler yet, so I have no wisdom, but don't feel bad for the situation. Good luck to you.

He's using the word in the correct context though. While I think it's funny as well when my little brother told me to go **** myself at 3 years old, I did correct him and tell him you can't say those words to people. Now is the time to broaden his vocabulary not fill it with curse words.

He's using the word in the correct context though. While I think it's funny as well when my little brother told me to go **** myself at 3 years old, I did correct him and tell him you can't say those words to people. Now is the time to broaden his vocabulary not fill it with curse words.

Are you swearing a lot at home? It that where he's picking it up? Or is it another source? We don't swear around the kids at all and so far so good (we do watch questionable things sometimes in front of them) in fact yesterday I said "oh shoot" and my 4 year old gave me a hard time, telling me that's a bad word we don't say that haha I had to explain to her to its totally okay to say shoot. Haha

Are you swearing a lot at home? It that where he's picking it up? Or is it another source? We don't swear around the kids at all and so far so good (we do watch questionable things sometimes in front of them) in fact yesterday I said "oh shoot" and my 4 year old gave me a hard time, telling me that's a bad word we don't say that haha I had to explain to her to its totally okay to say shoot. Haha

I really think you are on the right track. Calling attention to the words heightens the sense of meaning. My almost 4 yo picked up jack-ass somewhere. He said it 3 or 4 different times over the course of a couple of days and we completely ignored him even though he was obviously looking for some response. He has since dropped it. And IMO. If the child doesn't hear it repetitively and receives no gratification from using it, they will probably find a more effective vocabulary.

I really think you are on the right track. Calling attention to the words heightens the sense of meaning. My almost 4 yo picked up jack-ass somewhere. He said it 3 or 4 different times over the course of a couple of days and we completely ignored him even though he was obviously looking for some response. He has since dropped it. And IMO. If the child doesn't hear it repetitively and receives no gratification from using it, they will probably find a more effective vocabulary.

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